Work with us

Business EventsMediaTravel Trade
Dive into the land of a thousand lakes

Your guide to a dreamy holiday in Eastern Finland

Explore Eastern Finland

Finland_ForestNationalPark
Welcome to Eastern Finland, the region of a thousand lakes, where the country's most cherished national landscapes glow under the Midnight Sun. Holiday like the Finns do: in a wooden cottage by the water, with a sauna to heat and a lake to plunge into. Savour local food in lively market squares or at small village restaurants, then let long golden evenings drift by on the terrace. Eastern Lakeland is where summer slows down, light lingers, and nature feels like home.
Finland_ForestNationalPark

What makes Eastern Finland special?

The Eastern part of Finland is home to the country's biggest lakes and most iconic views; the ones you’ll find on postcards and in the hearts of Finns. It’s also where centuries-old food culture thrives, from rye-crusted Karelian pies to fresh fish pulled straight from the lake. Stay in a cottage, cycle through gentle landscapes, or visit wooden towns that tell stories of the past.

Credits: Visit Saimaa

Experiences you won’t find anywhere else

Some places have lakes. Eastern Finland has thousands of them plus cottages, castles and even caves tucked along their shores. Here, you can step from a sauna straight into the water, spend a night watching brown bears instead of Netflix, and wander wooden towns that look as if time politely decided to stop. Add in hearty local food and long golden evenings under the Midnight Sun, and you’ve got a summer holiday that’s impossible to copy-paste anywhere else.

 

 

Two-people-pointing-at-lake-summer-lappeenranta-juho-kuva - Juho Kuva
1/5

Holiday on one of Europe’s biggest lakes

Lake Saimaa is the beating heart of Eastern Lakeland. It's a vast maze of water and islands larger than some countries. Base yourself in Savonlinna or Mikkeli, and spend summer days swimming, paddling, or cruising through this lake labyrinth.
SaunaFinland_8M0A2840
2/5

Experience sauna like nowhere else

Eastern Finland is sauna country at its purest. From rustic smoke saunas to modern floating saunas, you’ll find them by almost every lake and cottage. The ritual is simple but unforgettable: heat, steam, and a plunge into cool, clear water.
Finland_Tarvainen_Koli_4E5A6080 - Harri Tarvainen
3/5

Stand in Finland’s iconic national landscape

The view from the hills of Koli National Park is so iconic it is celebrated as Finland’s national landscape. Hike to Ukko-Koli or explore forest trails, and you’ll see why generations of artists and travellers have called this view the soul of Finland.
Julia_Kivela_Savonlinna_High_Res_IMG_20180804_145928 - Julia Kivelä
4/5

Visit the world’s northernmost medieval stone fortress

In the city of Savonlinna stands Olavinlinna Castle, the world’s northernmost medieval stone fortress, famous for guarding waterways and now hosting the Savonlinna Opera Festival each summer.
Bear_cubs_Kainuu_Vaaka_Credit_Ömer_Acar_VisitFinland - Ömer Acar
5/5

See brown bears in the wild just below the Arctic Circle

Eastern Finland is one of Europe’s best places to observe brown bears in their natural habitat. Guided overnight hide tours in the Kainuu region offer a safe way to experience the thrill of watching these magnificent animals, along with other wildlife like wolverines and eagles.

Explore destinations in Eastern Finland

From lively lakeside towns to quiet wooden villages, Eastern Finland's cities each have their own charm. Discover popular towns like Kuopio, Mikkeli, Savonlinna, Lappeenranta, Imatra, and Joensuu, or wander through smaller gems where markets, harbours and summer festivals bring local life to the forefront.

Things to do

Here you'll find links to different products and services around Eastern Finland to help start planning your summer holiday.

Special accommodation
Animal activities
Sauna experiences
Nature activities
Food and drink

Stories about Eastern Finland and Lakeland

Looking for more inspiration about the region? Look no further – here you'll find a hand-picked selection of articles about Lakeland and Eastern Finland.

Sustainability
What to eat in Finland – guide to iconic Finnish foods

Taste the best of Finland with these must-try food...

Sustainability
Top five things to do during summer in Lakeland

Discover five unique things to experience during s...

Sustainability
Best food experiences in Finland's Lake Saimaa region

Discover the best food experiences in Finland's Sa...

Classic Finnish restaurants you should visit

Taste authentic Finnish cuisine at historic local ...

Must-experience saunas in Lakeland

Relax and unwind at some of the most unique and sp...

Wildlife watching in Finland

Finland is one of Europe's best places to watch wi...

North Karelia region in Lakeland

Experience the North Karelia region by exploring i...

Sustainability
Five extraordinary road trips in Finland

Here's a look at five unique summer road trips in ...

Five events in Lakeland to experience

Planning to visit Finland's Lakeland region this s...

National Parks in Lakeland Region

Lakeland’s pristine nature reserves are top destin...

Hidden gems in Lakeland

Book your vacation to Finland and discover these b...

Sustainability
Kayaking and canoeing in Finland

Best tips of places to go and sights to see with a...

FAQs about Eastern Finland

Finnish AKKE funding

This action is part of Eastern Finland Sustainable Tourism Growth Program and is funded by South Savo Regional Council from Appropriation for Sustainable Growth and Vitality in Regions (Finnish AKKE funding).